Deadline for Rio Ngumoha's Liverpool contract nears, sparking frenzy among fans after impressive friendly performance by the promising teenager
Liverpool Preparing to Offer Professional Contract to Young Prodigy Rio Ngumoha
Liverpool FC is set to offer a professional contract to 16-year-old sensation Rio Ngumoha, following his impressive performances at the club's AXA Training Centre over the past 12 months. The news was first reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on his YouTube channel.
Ngumoha, a former Chelsea academy star, joined Liverpool last summer at the age of 15. He made his professional debut as a starter in the FA Cup earlier this year and has since caught the eye of the first-team management. His talent was on full display in Liverpool's recent friendlies against Athletic Club, where he scored the opening goal from outside the box in the first match and impressed with his strong performances.
Arne Slot, Liverpool's boss, fielded two different XIs against Athletic Club, demonstrating his faith in Ngumoha's abilities. Cody Gakpo scored a brace in the second match, but it was Ngumoha who stole the show with his promising displays. A tweet posted on August 4, 2025, stated that Ngumoha is "a bit special," and it's hard to argue against that assessment.
Liverpool plans to offer Ngumoha his first professional contract shortly after he turns 17 later this month. The club is preparing this contract with a relaxed approach, indicating no pressure or rush, emphasizing patience in his development. Ngumoha has impressed Liverpool's first-team management, positioning himself as a contender for first-team involvement.
However, it remains unclear whether Ngumoha will be loaned out this season to gain experience. Given Liverpool’s significant investment in senior attacking players this summer, his playing time may be limited mostly to cup fixtures or selective first-team appearances. The club appears keen to nurture his progression carefully without rushing him into regular senior reliance.
Liverpool's transfer business has seen the signing of British transfer record signing Florian Wirtz, which theoretically may limit Ngumoha's minutes to occasional cup appearances. However, the club is confident that Ngumoha has the potential to become a key player for the club in the future.
Ngumoha seems happy at the club, given his role over the past 12 months. He has made a name for himself at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre, and it's clear that the club values his talent and potential. Liverpool contested two friendlies against Athletic Club on Monday evening at Anfield, with both matches resulting in Liverpool victories against the Spanish side. Mohamed Salah, ranked at no.1 in our website's list of the best Premier League players of last season, scored a goal in the second match.
In summary, Liverpool’s approach is to secure Ngumoha on a professional deal soon, nurture him through both first-team exposure and possibly strategic loan experience, while trusting his potential as a future key player for the club. It will be exciting to see how Ngumoha develops in the coming years and whether he can become a regular fixture in the Liverpool first-team setup.
The upcoming professional contract offer to Rio Ngumoha by Liverpool FC signifies their faith in his abilities, as he has shown impressive performances in European leagues, such as the Premier League. With Ngumoha's continuous growth and potential, sports analysts are speculating about his future role in the team and whether he can make a mark in major football competitions.
